FROM THIS EPISODE

The Downtown Central Market goes back to 1917, and nobody quite knows how it's lasted so long. Old-timers are nervous about any change, but even an icon has to keep up with the neighborhood. We hear about maintaining the old while introducing the new — very carefully. Also, we haven't forgotten LA's election day, which also might have a prolonged life. The official vote count could be delayed long enough to hamper the new Mayor's preparation for handling tough challenges on July 1.

On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, Washington is preoccupied with "scandals" involving diplomats, reporters' phone records and political inquiries from the IRS. Is the President's second-term agenda in trouble? Are the news media looking for drama?

Two years of campaigning for Mayor, for other elected officers and for ballot propositions will all be over in less than an hour…or will they? What challenges will the new mayor face that neither of the run-off candidates has talked about much.

Seattle and San Francisco are known for the open-air shopping districts Pike Place and the Ferry Building, but they're newcomers compared to the Grand Central Market near 3rd and Broadway in downtown LA. It opened in 1917. Back in the day, residents of Bunker Hill could ride Angel's Flight for a penny to buy fresh fruit, meat and vegetables. The Market is still a Mecca for officer workers, bargain hunters and tourists, but it's getting a facelift — inside and outside — to keep up with a changing neighborhood. KCRW producer Saul Gonzalez went to see what's different and what's the same.